Published 6:00 am, Thursday, November 20, 2008

“We had probably eight or nine possibilities to add,” Astros general manager Ed Wade said. “We just felt that, realistically, these three plus (lefthanded pitcher Polin) Trinidad made the most sense. You try to insolate yourself from losing players in the Rule 5 draft.

“But at the same time, you have to take into consideration that the player taken in the Rule 5 draft has to stay with the selecting club the entire season. That’s part of the thought process. We still have flexibility on the roster to re-sign our own players or to go out and do other things.”

With the additions, the Astros’ roster now stands at 34.

There’s no doubt Bogusevic, 24, has salvaged his career since he was moved to the outfield after spending his first 3½ professional seasons as a lefthanded pitcher.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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The Astros added three players to the 40-man roster Wednesday. OF Brian Bogusevic, a former pitcher was among them.

The Astros added three players to the 40-man roster Wednesday. OF Brian Bogusevic, a former pitcher was among them.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Astros promote three players to 40-man roster

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Since he was moved to the outfield in July, the Astros’ first pick in the 2005 draft has blossomed.

Over 42 games at Class AA Corpus Christi, he hit .371 with three home runs and 20 RBIs.

Asked if Bogusevic’s offense earned him the spot on the roster, Wade didn’t hesitate.

“Absolutely,” Wade said. “First and foremost, that’s what he’s shown, what people thought he was capable of doing offensively and how quickly he’s adapted to the role of full-time position player.”